Counties will soon fill wildlife officer spots
Eleven of Ohio’s 88 counties currently have no wildlife officer assigned, though reinforcements are coming in 2019.
In August, 11 cadets began 23 weeks of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training required of all law enforcement agents, such as park rangers and watercraft officers, employed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Befitting their role dealing with hunters, trappers and fishermen, the cadets will receive an additional eight weeks of specialized training by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Years ago, each socalled “county game warden” was a known and indispensable presence in many communities. That as many as 11 positions, among others, were left unfilled during a reordering of the wildlife division under the administration of Gov. John Kasich raised hackles among critics of the change.
However, as Kasich and ODNR director Jim Zehringer enter their final months in office, the restocking of wildlife officers who will serve an incoming administration is under way.
“Pending their graduation, these 11 cadets will be assigned to fill” the county slots, wildlife division spokesman John Windau wrote in an email. “In addition, there are some investigator and law enforcement supervisor positions around the state that are also open.”
Between now and March, it seems reasonable that some additional openings will occur for retirements, resignations and promotions and other factors. In that case all of wildlife’s enforcement slots won’t be filled by the addition of 11 cadets, who were chosen from a pool of about 550 applicants.
Among the cadets, only one — Antoinette M. Jolliff of Cardington — hails from greater central Ohio.
Not only do wildlife officers enforce hunting, fishing and trapping regulations, they protect state property and engage citizens on matters related to wildlife, conservation and use of resources.
Scenic deer hunts
Special archery deer hunts will be offered at nine Ohio locations — three near Columbus — that border statedesignated scenic rivers. The three area sites are:
• Terra Nova in Union County, on Big Darby Creek. The hunt site is on North Lewisburg Road in North Lewisburg.
• Milford Center in Union County, also on Big Darby Creek. The hunt site is between Middleburg-Plain City Road and North Darby Coe Road southeast of Collins Road.
• Andre Agnes and Little Darby Forrest Preserves in Madison County, on Little Darby Creek. This hunt is on two sites just west of West Jefferson off state Rt. 29.
The drawing for the hunts along the Big Darby and Little Darby creeks will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Plain City Youth Building, 344 N. Chillicothe St. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Purchase of a $5 ticket is required to enter the drawing. Hunters must possess a valid 2018-19 hunting license.
Drawings are for a two-week slot. Winners will choose a time to hunt.
An orientation will be conducted immediately after the drawing to detail special regulations for the hunts. Hunters will be permitted to hunt with a partner.
Parting shots
The early Canada goose season runs through Sept. 9. Teal hunters have through Sept. 16. … The Ohio Division of Forestry plans to build 100 miles of trails for motor vehicles at Shawnee and Zaleski state forests. The trails would allow access to ATVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps and other vehicles.